Bachmann WOWSOUND, a total game changer

[spookshow]

I believe it is, yes. I just love everything about it 

-Mark

[u18b]

My only caution would be.....

--Generally, you give lower marks or comments about wheel wipers-- which get dirty.
Maybe cleaning will be less of an issue with big caps.

--But more critically over time.... Bachmann gears do not have a generally great reputation.  Cracked gears are common.

Let's hope this very positive product remains positive after a year or so of heavy use.

I'm thinking the last time Bachmann had a "game changer" level of excitement was when the Consolidation came out.

Thanks for your review and your great encyclopedia.

[bbunge]

Watched a friend at a show pull one of these off the track and it was still growling away has he closed the box lid. 

Bob

[tehachapifan]

I absolutely LOVE my Surfliner unit!

Has anyone figured out how to get it to not fire up whenever on a powered track?

[spookshow]

--But more critically over time.... Bachmann gears do not have a generally great reputation.  Cracked gears are common.

I thought Bachmann solved that problem nearly 20 years ago when they stopped using white nylon gears? I haven't had a single issue with Bachmann gears since they made the switch.

-mark

[Jbub]

I thought Bachmann solved that problem nearly 20 years ago when they stopped using white nylon gears? I haven't had a single issue with Bachmann gears since they made the switch.

-mark

I've got a DD40 with black gears that are split.

[peteski]

I've got a DD40 with black gears that are split.

Yes the black ones with half-axles pressed into the combination gear/axle-tube unit were also prone to splitting (although not as prone as the white ones).  Hopefully Bachmann's current models use different wheelset design.

[u18b]

I thought Bachmann solved that problem nearly 20 years ago when they stopped using white nylon gears? I haven't had a single issue with Bachmann gears since they made the switch.

-mark

While not a locomotive (and not a "gear"), almost every Amfleet car you can find has cracked black half axles.

[spookshow]

I guess nobody's perfect, but at least for now I'm very much impressed with these Chargers.

-Mark

[peteski]

While not a locomotive (and not a "gear"), almost every Amfleet car you can find has cracked black half axles.

Well, the cracking is more likely due to sloppy tolerances the metal parts inserted into the plastic tubes than due to the quality of the plastic itself.  If the axle is too large it puts too much pressure on the tube causing stress crack.  Heck, even some Kato axle tubes or universal couplings on the motor shaft have cracked over the years. Nowhere as frequently as Bachmann's but still not perfect.

[nscaler711]

A 4GB SD card? Now that blows my mind.

I have 5 laying on my desk as I type this. they still have their uses.

I do hope TCS produces more WOWsound decoders, i put one in a G scale GP38-2 and loved that i could change everything on the fly.